Padding element for clothing items, process for making said element and a clothing item thereof

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a padding element ( 10, 20, 30 ) for an article of clothing, comprising two liners ( 1, 21, 31; 2, 22, 32 ) opposite each other and first pads ( 3 ); the first liner ( 1, 21, 31 ) and the second liner ( 2, 22, 32 ) are joined together along at least one portion of their perimeter, so as to create an intermediate space therebetween; the first pads ( 3 ) transversely connect the first liner ( 1, 21, 31 ) and the second liner ( 2, 22, 32 ) so as to divide the intermediate space into at least two padding chambers ( 12 ). The invention also relates to a process for making said padding element ( 10, 20, 30 ) and a clothing item comprising at least one padding element of the invention.

The present invention relates to a clothing item, such as, for example, a padding element for a clothing item, and the process for making said element.

Currently many clothing items on the market include a padded body, for example with goose or duck feathers in different qualities or down-alternative synthetic solutions such as polyester and mixed fibers. Said padded body comprises two liners having substantially the same shape and the same perimeter and joined together through a junction, which is performed at said perimeter so as to enclose the padding between said liners, and along intermediate lines, so as to allow that each part of the padding remains in a well-defined area of the padded body, thus creating adjacent insulation chambers.

Said quilted intermediate lines make the clothing item a classic jacket to wear, such as a jacket stuffed with duvet, characterized by rounded areas, corresponding to the insulation chambers, spaced from each other by depression strips generated by stitching.

The manufacture of said clothing items according to the current methods includes the creation of one or more padding elements intended to compose a clothing item, such as an outerwear, i.e. a duvet, a sports jacket, or the inner lining of a coat, or a quilted blanket, and having a coating of a natural or synthetic fabric such as polyamide (for example Nylon®) or polyester.

However, the obtained item has the drawback of not being able to ensure the maximum thermal insulation in every portion and in any condition of use.

For example, there are areas of the item that are subjected to high compression, such as the areas covering the top of the user's shoulders and that during use may be placed under a strap of a backpack or the strap of a bag. For obvious reasons, the padding is compressed and moved, thus eliminating or at least greatly reducing cold protection.

Moreover, the known items do not have a thermo-insulating material between an insulating chamber and the next one; in fact, the junction compresses the outer fabric on the padding and on the lining, and the drawback of having areas with no thermal insulation occurs, thus exposing the wearer to the outside temperature without any protection.

The present invention is provided for overcoming the above mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

In particular, a main object of the invention is to provide a method for making a padding element for a clothing item, which allows the manufacturer a greater operational freedom with respect to the prior art.

In other words, a main object of the present invention is to provide a padding element for a clothing item and the related clothing item which ensure a uniform distribution of heat insulation on the user's body.

Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide a padding element for a clothing item which, with respect to the known padding elements, gives a relevant cushioning even in areas subjected to particular stresses.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for making padding elements for clothing items which allows to obtain an operational flexibility to meet a variety of demands, both qualitative and quantitative, wider than that offered by the known techniques.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method for making padding elements for clothing items which broadens the range of technical effects associated to said clothing item with respect to the effects currently achieved.

The above objects are achieved through a padding element for a clothing item according to the enclosed claim 1, a clothing item according to the enclosed claim 9, and a method for making a padding element according to the enclosed claim 6.

Other technical features of the invention are included in the dependent claims.

Advantageously, the padding element for a clothing item of the invention allows to expand the range of technical effects associated to a padded or quilted clothing item, with respect to the prior art.

The above mentioned objects and advantages and other objects and advantages which will be better highlighted below, will be more clear from the following description related to a preferred embodiment of the padding element for a clothing item and to a preferred embodiment of the clothing item and the related method, which are the objects of the invention, and with reference to the enclosed drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-section view of a first embodiment of the padding element of the invention, during an assembly step;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of a second embodiment of the padding element of the invention, during an assembly step;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of a third embodiment of the padding element of the invention, during an assembly step;

FIG. 4 is a section view of the element of FIG. 1, during a finishing step;

FIG. 5 is a section view of the element of FIG. 4, subjected to pressure.

The padding element of the invention is shown in various embodiments in the enclosed FIGS. 1 to 3, where the element is respectively indicated with 10, 20 and 30, which show respectively a padding element for making a sleeve, and for making a front element and a back element of a clothing item.

As shown, the padding element 10 comprises a first liner 1 facing towards a first direction (for example towards the outside), a second liner 2 facing towards a second direction, opposite to the first direction (for example towards the inside), a plurality of compact pads 3, i.e. wadding bands, and preferably a free pad 4, such as feather.

According to the invention, each of said compact pads 3 is connected to the first liner 1 along a first joining line 5E and to the second liner 2 along a second joining line 6F, and the first and the second joining lines are provided in staggered positions.

Similarly, with reference to the enclosed FIG. 2, which shows a front element of a garment, the padding element 20 comprises a first liner 21 facing towards a first direction (for example, towards the outside), a second liner 22 facing towards a second direction, opposite to the first (for example, towards the inside), a plurality of compact pads 3, i.e. wadding bands, and preferably a free pad 4, such as feather.

According to the invention, each of said compact pads 3 is connected to the first liner 21 along a first joining line 25E and to the second liner 22 along a second joining line 26F, and the first and the second joining lines are provided in staggered positions.

Similarly, with reference to the enclosed FIG. 3, which shows a rear element or a yoke of a garment, the padding element 30 comprises a first liner 31 facing towards a first direction (for example, towards the outside), a second liner 32 facing towards a second direction, opposite to the first direction (for example, towards the inside), a plurality of compact pads 3, i.e. wadding bands, and preferably a free pad 4, such as feather.

According to the invention, each of said compact pads 3 is connected to the first liner 31 along a first joining line 35E and the second liner 32 along a second joining line 36F, and the first and the second joining lines are provided in staggered positions.

In detail, in all the above cases, the first liner 1, 21, 31 has a substantially identical and comparable shape with respect to the shape of the respective second liner 2, 22, 32; the first outer liner 1, 21, 31 has a series of joining lines 5E, 6E, 7E and 8E, 25E, 26E, 27E and 28E, 35E, 36E, 37E, while the second outer liner 2, 22, 32 has a series of joining lines 5F, 6F, 7F, and 8F, 25F, 26F, 27F, 28F and 35F, 36F, 37F; when the first liner 1, 21, 31 and the second liner 2, 22, 32 are superimposed so as to match the perimeter edges, the first joining line 5E, 25E, 35E of the first liner 1, 21, 31 is substantially superimposed on the corresponding second joining line 5F, 25F, 35F of the second liner 2, 22, 32, the third joining line 6E, 26E, 36E of the first liner 1, 21, 31 is superimposed on the corresponding fourth joining line 6F, 26F, 36F of the second liner 2, 22, 32; the fifth joining line 7E, 27E, 37E of the first liner 1, 21, 31 is substantially superimposed on the corresponding sixth joining line 7F, 27F, 37F of the second liner 2, 22, 32, the seventh joining line 8E, 28E of the first liner 1, 21, 31 is superimposed with the corresponding eighth joining line 8F, 28F of the second liner 2, 22, 32, and so on.

According to the invention, if a first flap 9E of a first compact pad 3′ is coupled to the first liner 1, 21, 31 along the first joining line 5E, 25E, 35E, the second flap 9F of the same first compact pad 3′ is coupled to the second liner 2, 22, 32 along the fourth joining line 6F, 26F, 36F, whereas if a first flap 11E of a second compact pad 3″ is coupled to the first liner 1, 21, 31 along the third joining line 6E, 26E, 36E, the second flap 9F of the same second compact pad 3″ is coupled to the second liner 2, 22, 32 along the sixth joining line 7F, 27F, 37F.

Therefore, a padding chamber 12 is created between a first compact pad 3′ (fixed to the first joining line 5E, 25E, 35E and to the fourth joining line 6F, 26F, 36F) and a second compact pad 3″ (fixed to the third joining line 6E, 26E, 36E and to the sixth joining line 7F, 27F, 37F).

A free pad 4 can be inserted into said padding chamber 12.

Of course, depending on the heaviness of the padding to obtain and on the degree of thermal insulation, it is advantageously possible to modulate the weight of the free pad 4 to be inserted in each padding chamber 12.

For example, according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 in which a sleeve is shown, it is possible to insert 2.5 grams of a free pad into first padding chambers 12 near the cuff 13, 4 grams into second middle padding chambers 12, 7 grams into third padding chambers near the attachment of the sleeve to the shoulder 14 of a garment, and do not put anything in fourth padding chambers 12 near the attachment of the sleeve at the armpit 15 of a garment.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 in which a sleeve is shown, it is possible to insert 3 grams of a free pad in first padding chambers 12 near the neck 23, and 3 grams in second padding chambers 12 away from the neck 23, and to provide a junction liner 24 between the joining lines 25F, 25E in a position corresponding to the neck 23 of a garment.

Furthermore, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in which a rear element of a clothing item is shown, it is possible to insert 7 grams of a free pad in each padding chamber 12, while it is possible to provide to insert 14 grams of padding at a yoke 33 of a clothing item.

In other embodiments, not shown in the enclosed figures, it is possible to avoid inserting free pads in each of the padding chambers, so as to achieve advantageously a medium weight padded duvet.

In other embodiments of the invention, not shown in the figures, it is possible to define staggered joining lines, so that, by superimposing the first liner and the second liner so that the respective edges are aligned with each other, the position of a joining line of the first liner does not correspond exactly to the position of other joining lines of the second liner. For example, it is possible that the position of a joining line of the first liner corresponds to the middle area placed between two joining lines of the second liner.

In this way, advantageously, each compact pad is slightly superimposed to the next compact pad, leaving no uncovered areas, thus removing any thermal bridges.

Operationally, the enclosed FIGS. 4 and 5 show that the system of the invention allows to obtain a padding element 10 which has at all points at least one type of pads 3 or 4.

In particular, FIG. 5 shows that when the padding element 10 is subject to compression, two compact adjacent pads 3 overlap for at least one portion, and two contiguous padding chambers overlap each other substantially for half of their length.

This advantageously prevents the padding to move from its position, thus ensuring an adequate coverage for all portions of the padding element.

Moreover, the use of compact pads 3, which are transversally connected to the two liners 1, 21, 31 and 2, 22, 32 also allows to change the appearance of the padding element and of the related garment, for instance by removing the classic look of the duvet with parallel or cross stitching, for example by suitably shaping the compact pads 3.

As mentioned, the compact pads 3 may comprise wadding bands or other compact material and/or free material, optionally placed between two lining strips made of any material, such as for example a non-woven fabric.

It is understood, however, that in other embodiments of the invention, not shown in the enclosed drawings, the padding element may provide, in addition to the pads, outdoor ornaments or other accessories which can be applied to a fabric to make clothing items or blankets.

However, the invention may also include other embodiments, according to which the padding body is free of free pads or decorations or viewable joining lines or decorative elements or similar accessories.

The method for making the padding element 10, 20, 30, which is the object of the present invention and which is shown in the enclosed drawings, comprises the following steps:

a. preparing two shaped liners in order to form respectively the first outer liner 1, 21, 31 and the second inner liner 2, 22, 32, b. preparing at least one compact pad 3; c. applying to each of said two liners a respective flap of the compact pad 3, so that the compact pad 3 divides in two padding chambers 12 the space comprised between the two liners; d. repeating step c. of applying the compact pad 3 for each of any compact pad 3 used in step b; e. joining the liners along their perimeter.

In the specific case, the method of the invention may also comprise the step of inserting a free pad 4 inside the padding chambers 12.

According to the invention, the method may comprise the step of tufting at least partially the upholstered elements, after having inserted the free pad 4 into the padding chambers 12.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the operation of applying to each of the two liners a respective flap of the compact pad 3 can take place in staggered positions, so that said two padding chambers 12 are superimposed one to each other for at least one portion.

Based on the above, it is understood therefore that the method for making a padding element, the padding element and the related clothing item, which are the objects of the present invention, achieve the objects and the above mentioned advantages.

In particular, the method according to the invention allows to broaden, with respect to the known prior art, the range of weights of padding and insulation, as well as the aesthetic effects of a padded clothing item.

In execution, changes may be made to the method of the invention consisting, for example, in the fact that the tufting step may only affect one or few padding chambers of the padding element.

Moreover, other embodiments of the method may be provided according to which a different number of padding elements is used.

Furthermore, according to other embodiments, the padding element of the invention may comprise a number of padding and quilted chambers different with respect to the number of chambers shown in the enclosed drawings, said number being able to vary according to the needs.

It should be noted, finally, that the padding element of the invention may be used in any garment and/or accessory wearable or otherwise usable by a person, said garment being also different from the garment shown in the enclosed drawings; said quilted padding garments and/or clothing items or accessories may be constituted by blankets, handbags, caps, scarves, shoes and so on.

It is clear that numerous other variations may be made to the production method, to the padding element and to the clothing item of the invention, without departing from the novelty principles inherent in the inventive idea expressed in the attached claims, as it is clear that, in the practical embodiments, the materials, forms and dimensions of the illustrated details can be any, depending on requirements, and replaced with other elements which are technically equivalent.

Where the constructional characteristics and techniques mentioned in the attached claims are followed by reference numbers or signs, said reference signs have been introduced with the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and consequently they have no limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by said reference signs. 

1-9. (canceled)
 10. A padding element (10, 20, 30) for a clothing item, comprising a first liner (1, 21, 31) facing towards a first direction, a second liner (2, 22, 32) facing towards a second direction which is opposite to the first direction, and a plurality of compact pads (3), said first liner (1, 21, 31) and said second liner (2, 22, 32) being joined together along at least a perimetric portion, so as to create an intermediate space between the first liner (1, 21, 31) and the second liner (2, 22, 32), wherein said compact pads (3) transversely connect said first liner (1, 21, 31) and said second liner (2, 22, 32) so as to divide the intermediate space between the first liner (1, 21, 31) and the second liner (2, 22, 32) in at least two padding chambers (12) and wherein said compact pads (3) are joined to the first liner (1, 21, 31) and to the second liner (2, 22, 32) at respective offset positions, so that said at least two padding chambers (12) are superimposed on each other along at least one portion, characterized in that when said padding element (10) is subjected to compression two of said compact adjacent pads (3) are superimposed on each other along at least one portion.
 11. A padding element (10, 20, 30) according to claim 10, characterized in that said at least two padding chambers (12) comprise a free pad (4).
 12. A padding element (10, 20, 30) according to claim 10, characterized in that a first flap (9E) of a first compact pad (3′) is coupled to the first liner (1, 21, 31) along a first joining line (5E, 25E, 35E), a second flap (9F) of the first compact pad (3′) is coupled to the second liner (2, 22, 32) along a second joining line (6F, 26F, 36F) which is offset with respect to the first joining line (5E, 25E, 35E) of the first liner (1, 21, 31), while a first end portion (11E) of a second compact pad (3″) is coupled to the first liner (1, 21, 31) along a third joining line (6E, 26E, 36E), and a second end portion (9F) of said second compact pad (3″) is coupled to the second liner (2, 22, 32) along a fourth joining line (7F, 27F, 37F) which is offset with respect to the third joining line (6E, 26E, 36E) of the first liner (1, 21, 31).
 13. A padding element (10, 20, 30) according to claim 12, characterized in that said third joining line (6E, 26E, 36E) is placed in a position which substantially corresponds to the second joining line (6F, 26F, 36F).
 14. A padding element (10, 20, 30) according to claim 12, characterized in that said third joining line (6E, 26E, 36E) is placed in an intermediate position between said first joining line (5E, 25E, 35E) and said second joining line (6F, 26F, 36F).
 15. Process for making a padding element (10, 20, 30) according to claim 10 comprising the following steps: a. prepare two shaped liners configured to compose respectively a first liner (1, 21, 31) and a second liner (2, 22, 32), b. prepare a first compact pad (3); c. applied to each of said two liners (1, 21, 31; 2, 22, 32) a respective flap (9E; 9F) of the first compact pad (3), so that the first compact pad (3) is configured to divide the space between the two liners (1, 21, 31; 2, 22, 32) into two padding chambers (12); d. repeat step b. and step c. to apply said first compact pad (3) for each of any first compact pad (3) prepared in step b; e. join the two liners (1, 21, 31; 2, 22, 32) along their perimeter, wherein said step of applying to each of the two liners (1, 21, 31; 2, 22, 32) a respective flap (9E; 9F) of the first compact pad (3) takes place along offset joining lines (5E, 25E, 35E; 6F, 26F, 36F), so that said two padding chambers (12) are superimposed on each other for at least one portion, characterized in that when said padding element (10) is subjected to compression two adjacent first compact pads (3) are superimposed on each other for at least one portion.
 16. Process for making a padding element (10, 20, 30) according to claim 15, characterized in that it includes the step of inserting a free pad (4) inside said padding chambers (12).
 17. Process for making a padding element (10, 20, 30) according to claim 15, characterized in that it includes the step of tufting at least partially the padding element (10, 20, 30), said tufting step being performed after having inserted a free pad (4) inside said padding chambers (12).
 18. A clothing item comprising at least one padding element (10, 20, 30) according to claim
 10. 